Tag: guest post

I have a bunch of magazine and newspaper articles left over from my dissertation research, so I’ve decided to do “31 Days of the Oliviers.” Each day I will post a new article or blog post, ending with Vivien Leigh’s birthday on November 5. These articles (most of which have Vivien as the main subject) span the years 1937-1967 and come from both American and British sources. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I do!

{Day 3} Today’s post was submitted by Vivien Brunning, a fan who shares the personal story of how reading about Vivien Leigh has helped her in her own battle with Bipolar Disorder. Thanks so much, Vivien, for the insightful and heartfelt post.

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By many accounts, Vivien Leigh had it all – she was a true renaissance woman. The public and Laurence Olivier adored her, she won two Academy Awards, had impeccable taste and several devoted, lifelong friends. She also suffered from a torment that took its toll, one that eventually she could not hide. In addition to suffering from tuberculosis, Vivien was Manic Depressive or as the disease is known today, Bipolar. Her plight may have been devastating and severe, but in a very profound way she also helped me successfully navigate my own journey through the lands of Bipolar Disorder.

By the time I was 20 years old I knew I was suffering from a mood disorder. I didn’t know it had a name but I knew I was in trouble. While I was investigating the origins of my first name, some miracle of fate brought a biography of Vivien Leigh into my hands. I read it. Then, I read another. And then another. By the time I had devoured all three I was dead certain I was just like her. I was cycling with highs and lows, and exhibiting a lot of the same behaviors and traits that Vivien had; little sleep needed, trouble with balance (Vivien could never ride a bicycle, I’m not much better), almost super-human productive periods followed by a ‘crash.’ Stressful events would set off manic periods for me, and were always followed by periods of long and crippling depressions, as they were for Vivien. For her, the news of Olivier’s impending knighthood set off a manic attack, with a deep and long depression following. At the time I was reading about her life, I was coming down from a high of my own, set off by receiving the extraordinary news I’d been accepted into every college to which I applied. I was spiraling down for no good reason and knew it, but thankfully, right in front of me were several accounts of someone who did the same. This thing had a name and I wasn’t alone. I also realized that left to my own devices, Vivien’s story would become my personal roadmap.

There are two main types of Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar I, which Vivien suffered from, is more severe and distinguished from the other forms of BD by the presence of psychotic features (hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, etc.). Bipolar II is the milder form wherein depressions are still experienced, but full blown mania does not occur. A condition called hypomania (below mania) is present. Hypomanic people do not suffer from any psychosis and often find they are most productive during bouts. All too often, however, hypomania carries with it the same risky behavior that mania does, such as overspending and lashing out. Although uncomfortable to read about, Vivien certainly and unfortunately suffered through her share of risky behavior and even at times, psychosis. She was known as being a lovely and very generous person, but exhibited odd and uncharacteristic behavior when manic. Although she didn’t remember much about the events which transpired while she was experiencing mania, Vivien always insisted on apologizing afterward for any transgressions she may have committed. This is a facet of the illness I am unfortunately also familiar with.

Another reason Vivien’s story convinced me to seek help when I was only 20 was the severity of her decline. One of the most distressing things about Bipolar Disorder is that it gets worse without treatment or careful supervision at onset, and without continued maintenance throughout one’s life. Although her treatment began relatively late in the course of her illness and ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) was given to Vivien, its administration was still rather crude in her times. Actually, most treatment of Bipolar was still in its infancy. Even medication for the condition was something of a novelty. An Australian psychiatrist named John Cade began treating patients with mania using lithium in 1948, but it was many years until it came into wide-spread use. Had Vivien been born 20 or even 10 years later, she would have most likely found more relief from her Manic Depression. But, then there’s the possibility she would never have played Scarlett O’Hara or Blanche DuBoise, and may never have had a relationship with Larry.

After reading about Vivien’s plight, I was prompted to see a physician and was diagnosed with Bipolar II. I am currently on an effective course of treatment, living a happy and productive life, and can’t stress enough that I would not be in this position were it not for learning about Vivien’s story. It may sound trite, but when I am hitting a rough patch in my own battle with Bipolar, I pull out one of my Vivien Leigh biographies. She is the epitome of discipline, professionalism and grace, whether or not she suffered from Manic Depression. Surely, if Vivien could accomplish the many things she did while battling a full-blown episode, like performing in various plays, winning Oscars and even a Tony, there is much strength to be gained from such a fine example.

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Vivien Brunning is an IT Architect, Viv and Larry fan and author who loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at manicmuses {at} gmail {dot } com.

The news of Elizabeth Taylor’s death this morning has effected classic film fans around the world. She was a great beauty and a true star in every sense of the word. Her passing signals the end of an era and I couldn’t think of a better person to write a tribute to the late screen icon than Andrew Budgell.

Andrew is one of Elizabeth’s most loyal, and certainly one of her most knowledgeable fans. He is the brains behind The Elizabeth Taylor Archives and also moderates the Elizabeth Taylor Facebook fan page. The following tribute was written especially for vivandlarry.com and eloquently puts into words how much Elizabeth meant to him, and the impact she had both on and off screen. Thanks, Andy, it’s lovely.

For anyone who has ever idolized a celebrity, it’s difficult to articulate what they mean to you. But when that person dies, it’s next to impossible.

This morning the film world lost its brightest star, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, at the age of 79 due to complications of congestive heart failure.

I first discovered Elizabeth Taylor in 1995 when I was a mere eight years old. I was channel surfing and came across the TV miniseries, Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story on NBC. I can’t remember now what made me stick with this program, but I quickly became engrossed with this woman and her life story. I’ve been hooked ever since.

I could provide you with a resume list of accomplishments; her filmography contains the names of some of the greatest and most iconic films of all-time. I might tell you that she was a two time Oscar winning best actress, for Butterfield 8 (1960) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), or that she was the first star to command one million dollars a picture for 1963’s Cleopatra. But simply put, Elizabeth Taylor’s greatest role was herself. While she seamlessly transitioned from child star, to ingénue, to leading lady, Elizabeth Taylor, the woman, transcended every part she ever played. Acting, for a time, was fun for Elizabeth, but real life was what counted, and she lived it to the fullest in the public eye for nearly 70 years.

Most importantly, Elizabeth Taylor used her unparalleled fame for good. In 1985, government leaders around the world were allowing their people to die of AIDS because it was a disease associated with homosexuals. Elizabeth got angry, refused to remain complacent, and began to work tirelessly on the APLA Commitment to Life Dinner, becoming one of the first celebrities to lend their names to the cause. Despite death threats, Elizabeth’s singular courage and determination would see her become the face of HIV/AIDS, co-founding amfAR in 1985, and her own Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation in 1991. Because of her, millions of people are alive today and fundraising for the disease became acceptable.

I was fortunate enough to have seen my idol, Elizabeth Taylor, twice in person. In 2005 she was honoured with the BAFTA/LA Britannia Award for Excellence in International Entertainment. It was one of those moments you can only dream about. I turned away from the chatter at my table to look into film history’s most storied eyes. I sat in my chair transfixed, but snapped out of it in time to muster, “Hi!” She beamed a smile back at me and returned the greeting before heading backstage.

Two years later I was seated in the audience among LA’s glitterati to watch Elizabeth Taylor perform in Love Letters. It was her first time on stage in nearly a quarter of a century, and she was acting alongside James Earl Jones. Seated in a wheelchair, she was a revelation in the part of Melissa Gardner, a tragic figure that recalled some of her best work. But most astounding was her steadfast commitment to HIV/AIDS. Despite ill health, it was still her top priority, and that is the legacy I hope we’ll all remember.

Today I celebrate Elizabeth Taylor, a woman who utilized her fame for good, and left the world a better place because of it.

Vivandlarry.com fan Shiroma from Australia has had the pleasure of visiting the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, CA–the site where the Oliviers were married in 1940. San Ysidro is a very she-she luxury resort today and often attracts A-list celebrities. In the Oliviers’ day, the Ranch was owned by actor Ronald Coleman and his wife Benita. Larry and Vivien, wanting to wed in private and doing their best to keep it from the press, were urged by the Colemans to get married outside of LA. With Katharine Hepburn and Garson kanin in tow, Larry and Vivien drove up to Santa Barbara and were married just after midnight on August 30, 1940. They honeymooned on the Coleman’s yacht out at Catalina, off the coast of Long Beach.

Shiroma now shares her story (and photos) of walking in the Oliviers’ footsteps with vivandlarry.com. Thanks, Shiroma!

And as a side note, Santa Barbara s a beautiful town, and highly recommended for California visitors.

Continuing with “Vivien in Fashion” Week, today we throw the spotlight on photographer and costume designer Cecil Beaton. Cecil is perhaps the most interesting of all of the Vogue photographers who photographed Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier because he also had somewhat of a personal relationship with them as well as a professional one.

Vivien and Cecil in Paris for Anna Karenina costume fittings, 1947

Since I first became interested in vintage fashion and photography, I have been interested in Beaton’s photographs of Vivien Leigh in particular (and he did take my all time favorite portrait of Laurence Olivier in 1948). Cecil was the photographer on Caesar and Cleopatra, and the costume designer for Anna Karenina as well as for the play The School for Scandal which the Oliviers performed in 1948 and 49. In my opinion, he took the best photos of Vivien Leigh, and his abrupt falling out with the Oliviers in 1948 makes me rather sad. But it is an interesting story, so I thought it would be nice to hear about their personal and professional relationship from someone who knows quite a bit about it.

Most of you know Hugo Vickers for writing the definitive biography on Vivien Leigh. He is also the Literary Executor for the Cecil Beaton Estate and has published Beaton’s biography and diaries. He was very kind in writing out the tale of the Oliviers and Cecil Beaton especially for vivandlarry.com. Thanks, Hugo!